West Ellicott Man Dies In Farming Accident

May 4, 2013

BUSTI - A West Ellicott man lost his life Thursday night when he was pinned underneath his tractor.

Lakewood-Busti Police say the wife of 60-year-old James D. Hall became concerned when she couldn't reach him by phone and a family friend went looking for Hall. The friend found the accident site on Orr Street Extension and called for assistance.

Police say it appears Hall was operating a tractor towing a brush hog on a narrow dirt road in the area of a small ravine. The tractor left the side of the dirt road for an unknown reason ejecting Hall as it rolled down the ravine. Both the tractor and the brush hog landed on Hall, pinning him underneath.

Hall was pronounced dead at the scene by Chautauqua County Coroner John Sixbey.

C&A Auto and Marine responded to the scene to assist the Busti and Lakewood fire departments with the recovery.